Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-11
THE BEECHER FUNERAL.
services at the Resldence-Beautifu
riohal oherinss-The Coffin Borne
Away Under Guard of Soldiers,
NEW YORK, March IN

NEW YORK. March 10.
In spite of the rain the streets in the yiein.
aty OF beecher's house were crowded with
people this morning. At 8 o'clock Police
Capt. Campbell and squad of police took
up their stations in front of the house.
large number of floral emblems were received
before the private services commenced. Two
wreaths of white roses, lillies-of- the-yallev
ana smilax, were received by Mrs. Col. M.
beecher early in the morning. These bore
the cards of Ellen Terry and Mr.. Irving
MRS. 5. V. White sent a pillow Of white
roses, and other floral tributes came pouring
In from all quarters. The coffin rested in
the centre of the front parlor, and it was
surrounded with bank of flowers. The re-
MAINS were dressed in suit of black broad
cioth with coat buttoned. with the right hand
lad across the heart, The features were
natural and there was smile on the face
The long gray hair was brushed back the
same as Beecher wore it while alive.
Early in the morning before the services.
Mrs. Beecher went into the parlor and stood
oy the coffin for some time. She bent over
the remains and after implanting kiss upon
the lips was led into the back room
Promptly at 9.l0 Rev. c. II. Hall, of the
Church of the Holy Trinity, entered the
house. After conversation with Major Pond
ne entered the front parlor and commenced
to read the burial service from the ritual of
the Episcopal church. The quartette sang
Jesus, Lover Of My Soul" beyond the
Signing and the Weeping" and "Come Holy
Spirit"
Whiie the services were in progress in the
house, Company g. known as the Plymouth
Company, of the 18th regiment, was drawn
up In front of the house. They were dressed
IN regulation uniform.
Only the members of the family and few
friends were present during the services
None of the family were dressed in black.
Mrs. Beecher sat near the remains during
the reading of the service, and by her side
were her sons and daughter and members of
their families. She bore up wonderfully
during the whole of the ceremony and was
quite calm.
After reading the services Rev. Mr.. Hall
spoke for fifteen minutes, alluding in a most
affecting manner to the strong friendship
which had existed for many years between
himself and Beecher. The members of the
family then retired to other rooms and the
undertaken came up and carried the casket
down the steps and to the hearse which stood
in the rear of the 18th regiment. On the
coffin was laid pail of bright green ferns,
and with its emerald hues intermingled the
beautiful shades Of many varieties of roses.
The Plymouth company formed right file
front and followed the coffin to the rear and
thus took the position of guard of honor As
the coffin was brought out of the house the
bugle band of the regiment sounded solemn
dirge. AS soon as the guard of honor had
taken up its position round the hearse the
regiment was formed into twelve files with
arms reversed. The procession then moved
slowly down Clark street until the hearse
passed the front of the house, when the mem
bers of the family got into carriages in wait
ing and brought up in the rear. falling in
line as the corsege moved on, the drum corps
playing funeral march with muffied drums.
On arriving at the church the regiment de-
ployed and formed a double file front to re-
ceive the body at the Orange street entrance
in front of which the hearse drew up. The
casket was carried into the church, up Henry
street aisle, and placed on dais in front of
the pulpit. The sliding top of the casket
was removed, exposing to view the face of
the dead. The guard of honor took up its
position and then the regiment filed into the
church in double file front, marched up one
aisle and passed in front of the coffin, break
ing ranks and passing one file on each
side and then down the other aisle to the
street. There will be music in the church
during the whole time the body lies in state.
The will of Beecher was read this after
noon in the presence OF the family. 1t is
probable that it will not be filed for probate
as one of its provisions authorizes the mem
bers OF the family to settle among themselves
the division of what there is left. The chief
feature of the will is that Mrs. Beecher is
first provided for. The full contents of the
will will not be made known unless it is
probsted, as the family desire secrecy.
Tonight the Beecher residence is brilliant
ly lighted. The members of the family are
dressed as if Tor going to church on Sunday,
and everything was made as bright and
cheerful as possible, in accordance with the
often expressed wish of Beechsr in case of
such an event.